Microbric Edison V3 — Specs & Review

Specifications

Key features

• One robot spans ages 4 to 16 across four programming stages
• Barcodes, EdBlocks, EdScratch, and EdPy Python on the same hardware
• About $59 single, roughly $38 per unit in classroom bundles
• V3 adds an internal rechargeable battery and USB-A programming
• Wheel encoders enable precise degree-based turns
• Line, obstacle, light, and sound sensors built in
• LEGO-compatible mounting and EdCreate expansion kits
• EdCharger docks up to five robots at once

What is it?

Edison V3 is a small, rugged programmable robot built for classrooms. One robot covers a full progression of programming skills, from barcode-scanned programs a four-year-old can run to real text-based Python for teenagers, so a school can teach every year group on the same hardware. The V3, released in January 2024, is the current generation. It replaces the AAA-battery V2 with an internal rechargeable battery and adds USB-A programming and wheel encoders for accurate, degree-based turns.

Who is it for?

• Primary and secondary STEM teachers who need one affordable robot that spans K-12
• Schools buying class sets on a tight budget, where bundle pricing drops to around $38 per unit
• Parents introducing coding at home, from pre-readers up to Python beginners

Key specs

• Programming: Barcodes (ages 4+), EdBlocks drag-and-drop (7+), EdScratch (10+), EdPy text-based Python (13+)
• Sensors: Line tracking, infrared obstacle detection, light sensors, sound detection, infrared remote receive, wheel encoders
• Connectivity: USB-A to computer, plus screen-flash programming for iPad and iOS
• Battery: Internal rechargeable, roughly 60 to 90 minutes of runtime, 4 to 5 hour charge
• Charging: EdCharger docks up to five units at once
• Ages: 4 to 16
• Price: About $59 single, from roughly $38 per unit in class bundles
• Expansion: LEGO-compatible mounting and EdCreate construction kits

Edison V2 vs V3

V3 is the current model. Compared with V2 it swaps disposable AAA batteries for an internal rechargeable cell, replaces the EdComm audio-cable programming method with a direct USB-A connection, and adds wheel encoders so turns are measured by degrees rather than time. Microbric still maintains V2 support resources, so existing V2 class sets remain usable.

Limitations

• No onboard display, so feedback is through LEDs, sound, and movement
• Runtime of 60 to 90 minutes means class sets rely on the multi-unit charger
• Screen-flash programming on tablets is slower than the USB path on laptops

FAQ

How much does the Edison robot cost?

A single Edison V3 costs around $59. In classroom bundles the per-unit price drops to roughly $38, which is why it is popular for buying full class sets.

What ages is the Edison robot for?

Edison is designed for ages 4 to 16. The same robot supports four programming methods that scale with age: barcodes for pre-readers, EdBlocks from age 7, EdScratch from age 10, and text-based EdPy Python from age 13.

What is the difference between Edison V2 and V3?

Edison V3, released in January 2024, is the current model. It replaces V2's disposable AAA batteries with an internal rechargeable battery, swaps the EdComm audio-cable programming method for a direct USB-A connection, and adds wheel encoders for precise degree-based turns. Microbric still supports existing V2 robots.

How do you program an Edison robot?

Edison connects to a computer over USB-A, or programs can be flashed to it from an iPad or iOS device using a screen-flash method. Students write programs in EdBlocks, EdScratch, or EdPy depending on their level, and pre-readers can run pre-set programs by scanning barcodes.

Is Edison compatible with LEGO?

Yes. Edison has LEGO-compatible mounting points, and the EdCreate expansion kits let students build larger constructions on the robot base.